District II
New Jersey, New York, Europe
On May 21, 2022, I traveled to the Hudson Valley Radio Control Club’s inaugural Vintage R/C Society Fun Fly (VRCS) in Haverstraw, New York. The Hudson Valley Radio Control Club is known for the varied events held at its club field, including the Town of Haverstraw Air Show that features top RC pilots from the northeast and beyond.
At the insistence of District II AMA Associate Vice President Tom Rocheleau, I had the thrill of flying glider tow as he pulled the glider ahead of me. Albeit a truly short flight, it was fun!
The VRCS event was open to all types of RC model aircraft from prior to 1987. The VRCS has a long history and is designated as a Special Interest Group of the AMA. As its website explains, “The Vintage RC Society was born in 1989, initially as an idea by Bill Winter, resulting from discussions with Hal ‘Pappy’ deBolt, as to how the history of RC could be recorded and preserved. Further discussions got Joe Beshar, John Worth, and Art Schroeder involved.”
Interest in vintage model aircraft is growing through the work of the VRCS and dedicated volunteers.
The society’s mission states: “The Vintage Radio Control Society is an organization dedicated to the preservation of our radio control history—the achievements of those electronic and airframe design pioneers that made radio control flight the best hobby/sport in the world
today. We do this through our bimonthly newsletter, The Vintage Flier, annual reunions, and fly-in events.”
The Hudson Valley Radio Control Club events are possible only with the efforts of volunteers, and especially from the work of the club’s leader, Bruce Leach. Bruce is among the hardest-working volunteers and he does a fantastic job of promoting, organizing, and managing events at the club’s flying field that overlooks the Hudson River. It is through Bruce’s long-standing work with local township officials that the club can host such great events. Great work, Bruce!
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make!
